A Christmas Sort of Story

You are not an accident, little one. You were in my care even before you were born. You have a place inside me still and always will. I have big plans for you, little one, plans as grand as galaxies and as unfathomable, but they mean nothing. Please, I beg you, scatter them and build yourself a world I can’t imagine. You owe me nothing. I release you, and though it destroys me to let you go, nothing will separate us for long until we are joined again at the end of the briefest of days. Already you know what it is to be cold and wander but, banished or lost, you will always have a home. Where there is sky, you will find my face. Where there is running water, I will wash you. Where there are voices or a whisper of wind, I will sing you to sleep or wake you, depending on the hour. Everything in its own time, anxious one. Compared to stars the years are counting candles, blown away like wishes. Don’t hurry; the moment is all you need for eternity. The end can wait—I’ve seen it. I got here first; I’ll be here when you arrive. Be careful who you travel with, there are temptations, but with my thumbs I left my mark upon your temples. Find me there if you need guidance and feel my heart. It beats in time with yours. What else can I give you, gifts? You are the gift. Companionship? Compared to what you bring the world the people you meet are wrapping paper, greeting cards, yours for a moment and gone. I want you to do something for me out of love not obligation. Think of what that might be. Now do it for someone else.

I think this is very poetic and beautiful. “but with my thumbs I left my mark upon your temples. Find me there if you need guidance and feel my heart. It beats in time with yours.” is especially sweet.

Thank you for posting your stories David. You are an enormously talented writer. This one was wonderfully crafted and apropos to the season. All your stories are thought provoking and brilliantly written. Some have made me uncomfortable and that I consider to be a good thing.
May you have a merry and bright holiday season. 🙂

Wow, timethief! What a beautiful thing to find in my stocking. And a merry merry Christmas to you too! Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum!
–David

Do you have the Latin translation for your ‘Think of what that might be. Now do it for someone else.’, so that it can be engraved in some stone next to Augustine’s ‘Dilige et quod vis fac’ (Love, and do what you will)?

Beautiful, David, as well you know. A perfect capture of the nurturing nature at the heart of the season. Thank you, and merry Christmas.
And a wonderful merry Christmas to you, too, Briseis. Thank you.
–David